9 May 2025
The devastating impact of the 2019 bushfires on former infantry soldier Gene Cowin and his family in Batlow meant they lost everything, including his cherished Army warrant.
This detail resonated deeply with his mate, Major Vernon Andrews, during a chance phone call that rekindled their friendship after a period of lost contact.
Catching up over a beer, Major Andrews learnt of Mr Cowin’s lost warrant.
Understanding the significance of the warrant to his medically discharged mate, who served for 17 years, Major Andrews secretly organised its reprinting.
Enlisting the help of the infantry career manager, Major Andrews navigated the process, a seemingly minor task from an Army perspective but one that held immense meaning for Mr Cowin.
The presentation of the new warrant became the focal point of their Anzac Day reunion in the small town of Batlow, NSW.
Their friendship, an “unlikely” one between an infantry and an ordnance soldier, blossomed during their time as recruit instructors back in 2003-05.
Through different postings and life’s milestones, including each other’s weddings, they remained connected.
'Witnessing the dawn service, and the Anzac Day march in Batlow, showed a town deeply connected to its veterans.'
However, life took an unexpected turn for Mr Cowin when debilitating hip injuries forced his medical discharge.
“He was Army through and through,” Major Andrews said.
The transition to civilian life proved challenging for Mr Cowin, a contrast to the career he loved.
“Witnessing the dawn service, and the Anzac Day march in Batlow, showed a town deeply connected to its veterans,” Major Andrews said.
For Mr Cowin, receiving his new warrant on Anzac Day, surrounded by his community and his mates, was a surreal and deeply emotional moment.
It symbolised not just the renewal of a document, but the enduring strength of brotherhood and the profound impact of a simple, heartfelt gesture.
Both men hoped their story would raise awareness about the importance of maintaining meaningful connections with those who have served, ensuring they feel valued and supported long after their discharge.
Their story serves as a powerful reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a world of difference in the lives of those who have given so much.
